Jerusalem: An ancient seal dating back to Old Testament King Hezekiah unearthed

Archaeologist discover a rare seal impression which bears the name of Old Testament King Hezekiah.

According to details, this seal impression has been discovered in Jerusalem. In this regard, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has revealed that the seal has an inscription on it which reads, “Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah”, and it bears “a two-winged sun, with wings turned downward, flanked by two ankh symbols symbolising life”.

It has been speculated that the artefact could have been used to seal a papyrus document, perhaps signed by King Hezekiah, himself. This seal was unearthed from a refuse dump near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

Dr Eilat Mazar- the leader of the excavation stated, “Although seal impressions bearing King Hezekiah’s name have already been known from the antiquities market since the middle of the 1990s, some with a winged scarab dung beetle symbol and others with a winged sun, this is the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king has ever come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation. Here we have a chance to get as close as possible to the person himself, to the king himself.”

In line with the biblical reference 2 Kings, King Hezekiah was a descendant of King David and the 13th king of Judah, who reigned for 29 years. King Hezekiah showed determination to purge his kingdom of idolatry, at the same time he used to urge his people to serve God only.

“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him,” 2 Kings 18